Afsnijtekens

Afsnijtekens are a Dutch term referring to the marks or lines printed on a sheet of paper, film, or other material to indicate where it should be cut. These marks are essential in the printing and manufacturing industries to ensure precise trimming and finishing of products. They are commonly found in the production of books, magazines, brochures, packaging, and many other printed materials.

The purpose of afsnijtekens is to guide the cutting machinery, whether it's a guillotine cutter for paper or a die-cutting machine for packaging. They are typically placed in the bleed area, which is the part of the design that extends beyond the final trim edge. This ensures that if the cut is slightly off, no unprinted white space appears on the edges of the finished product. The marks themselves are usually simple lines, often in a contrasting color like red or black, and are positioned at the corners or along the edges of the intended trim.

When preparing a document for professional printing, designers must ensure that afsnijtekens are correctly set up in their software. Many design programs offer built-in options for adding these marks. It is crucial to distinguish between afsnijtekens and registration marks, which are used for aligning different color plates during the printing process. Afsnijtekens are solely for indicating the final cut. The accurate placement and presence of afsnijtekens are vital for achieving a professional and polished final product.